Maliubu will get rear-park assist, stability control, keyless entry, a colour touchscreen and a premium audio system. It will also have MyLink, a smartphone integration system that has been available on US General Motors products for some time. It lets the car connect to compatible devices by Bluetooth, plug-in or USB, and interfaces through the colour touchscreen and allows drivers access to streaming digital content through several downloadable applications.
Devereux is bullish about the potential of new global platform model and its place in Holden's fresh product range.
"It's a genuine premium sedan with strong visual appeal, mid-size interior packaging, Holden-tuned ride and handling and a surprising list of standard features, he said. "And the addition of Holden MyLink ensures it will offer customers a truly compelling package.
"Holden MyLink is very smart technology and Malibu will be among the first cars in our portfolio to get it.
"Holden MyLink elevates wireless connectivity to a completely new level by enabling customers to control certain smartphone apps through Malibu's touchscreen.
"And with two refined four-cylinder engines to choose from, Malibu's aspirational balance of efficiency, technology, style and performance will be very appealing."
He said that Holden engineers had "considerable input" in the development programme, and that local suspension tuning had been carried out for the Southern Hemisphere markets, as well as a specific transmission tune to suit our environments as opposed to the wide, straight roads of America.
Holden will release full details of the car's spec and pricing in the early part of next year. The next big product following these new vehicles will be the long-awaited VF Commodore.
